CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday swore in Joey Duncan as police chief, effective Oct. 1, 2024, filling the post being vacated by the retirement of Chief David Nassetta.
Duncan, a graduate of Cullman High School, began his law enforcement career in July 2000 as a part-time correctional officer with the Cullman Police Department. He pursued a degree in criminal justice at Wallace State Community College, and in 2001, he became a full-time correctional officer and transitioned to patrol duties in 2004. He was promoted to patrol supervisor in 2019.
In 2021, Duncan became the supervisor of the Traffic Unit. He returned to a patrol supervisor position in 2024 and has served as the coordinator for the Field Training Program and the Traffic Homicide Unit, establishing himself as a certified Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. Most recently, he held the role of interim patrol captain.
“I’m honored and humbled to be appointed as the police chief at Cullman Police Department,” said Duncan. “I look forward to serving alongside the great men and women at CPD and also serve our great community.”
Mayor Woody Jacobs expressed confidence in Duncan’s abilities, stating, “Joey Duncan’s commitment to our community and extensive experience make him an outstanding choice for police chief. I am confident that under his guidance, we will enhance public safety and strengthen trust between our officers and the community.”
Council passes 2025 budget
The council passed the City’s fiscal year 2025 budget in the total amount of $188,189, 911, over $19 million below the 2024 budget. Council President Jenny Folsom told the audience that the budget amount was based on last year’s actual revenue numbers. The General Fund, the City’s day-to-day operating budget, increased slightly from $55,290,609 to $55,516,735.
Highlights of the 2025 budget include:
- A 4% pay raise for all full-time City employees, and an annual pay supplement of $800 to be disbursed in November
- Absorption of increases to health, dental and Air Evac medical benefits for full-time employees
- No increase in residential sanitation, water and sewer rates
- $4,500,000 in sewer improvements to the Mann Basin
- $11,516,927 in projected local funding for Cullman City Schools
- $280,000 in information technology upgrades
- $519,426 for tourism-related costs, up over $95,000 from 2024
- Over $10 million dedicated to paving, the largest paving budget ever
- A streetscape project at Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street Southwest, and a neighborhood project on Logan Street Southwest, both funded by a combination of grants and local funds
- A $255,000 increase in funding for road construction and repair over 2024
- An increase of $1,858,151 for Cullman Regional Airport, mostly for equipment purchases
- Communications equipment upgrade for fire, police and dispatchers
- Five new police patrol units, and a $1.4 million multiuse fire truck
- New pay plans for fire and police with incentive plans for training
- Continuing development of the OmniPlex Sports and Civic Center, and development of the Community Theater
- Multiple upgrades to parks and recreation facilities across the city
- Upgraded county museum displays
- A citywide traffic study
The budget includes continuing support for several non-governmental organizations and local charities including:
- Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled (CCCDD)
- Cullman Area Mental Health Authority
- Cullman Regional
- Liberty Learning Foundation, Inc.
- Cullman Child Advocacy Center
- Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- The Link of Cullman County
- Victim Services of Cullman
- Cullman Community Band
- North Alabama Agriplex
- Cullman VFW Post 2214
- First Source for Women
- Cullman Caring for Kids
- Pilot Light, Inc.
- Hope Horses, Inc.
- United Way of Cullman County
- Childhaven
The Cullman City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Cullman City Hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
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